Brian Knutson, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience, Standford University
A goal of Stanford's Neurochoice Initiative involves predicting and intervening on addictive choice. Comparative research implicates dopamine-modulated mesolimbic circuits converging on the Nucleus Accumbens (a "conNAcctome"?) in motivated behavior and addictive choice. Our team has collaborated to leverage human neuroimaging techniques to assess the structure and function of these conNAcctome circuits, and to use these measures to predict relapse to stimulant drug use. In addition to reviewing these findings, I will discuss how they might inform targeted future interventions designed to reduce addictive relapse.